Disk drive and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A disk drive is provided for restraining deterioration of verticality of the optical axis of an optical pickup in relation to the surface of the disk when the side of the disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to the other side, in recording and/or reproducing data signals on both sides of the disk. The disk drive ( 1 ) includes a turn table ( 11 ) on which a disk D is rotatably supported, a pickup ( 12 ) for recording and/or reproducing data signals on both sides of the disk D rotated by the turn table ( 11 ), and a disk tray ( 31 ) for transferring the disk D between a recording and reproducing position which confronts the turn table ( 11 ) and a loading and unloading position at the outside of the disk drive ( 1 ), wherein there is provided a turning movement mechanism for turning the turn table ( 11 ) and the pickup ( 12 ) at once from a first position which confronts the one side of the disk D to a second position which confronts the other side of the disk D or vice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disk drive and more specifically adisk drive capable of writing data signals into a disk and/or readingdata signals recorded in the disk on both sides of the disk and a methodof controlling the disk drive.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, so-called double-sided reproducing disk drives capableof writing data signals into a disk and/or reading data signals recordedin the disk (hereinafter, occasionally referred to simply as recordingand/or reproducing data signals) on both sides of the disk have beenknown; for example, one of which being disclosed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open Publication No. 7-320276.

In this prior art disk drive, there is provided a U-shaped guide railwhich extends from one side to the other side of the disk, and while aturn table for supporting and rotating a disk remains stationary, anoptical pickup travels along the guide rail to record and/or reproducedata signals on both the sides of the disk.

It is essential for recording and/or reproducing the data signals on thedisk that the optical axis of the optical pickup is precisely heldvertical to the surface of the disk to be scanned (specifically, a disksupporting surface of the turn table). Particularly, in a case of a diskwith high recording density such as so-called DVD disk (digital videodisk or digital versatile disk), as the light emitted from the opticalpickup is focused to a spot of very small size on a disk and therotation of the disk is much higher, the accuracy of verticality has tobe increased correspondingly.

The prior art double-sided reproducing disk drives allows the opticalpickup to move from one side to the other side of the disk for recordingand/or reproducing data signals on the other side of the disk when therecording and/or reproducing action on the one side of the disk has beencompleted, while the turn table remains stationary. Accordingly, thepositional relationship between the optical pickup and the turn table isnot constant but varied whenever the side of the disk to be scanned forthe recording and/or reproducing action is alternated from one side tothe other side. It is thus troublesome to maintain the optical axis ofthe pickup vertical to the surface of the disk to be scanned ataccuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoingtechnical drawback and its basic object is to provide a disk drive whichcan restrain deterioration of verticality of the optical axis of anoptical pickup in relation to the surface of the disk when the side ofthe disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action isalternated from one side to the other side, in recording and/orreproducing data signals on both sides of the disk.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a firstaspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk driveincluding a turn table for rotatably supporting a disk thereon, a pickupfor recording and/or reproducing data signals on the disk rotated on theturn table, and a disk transfer mechanism for transferring the diskforward and backward between a recording/reproducing (recording andreproducing) position which confronts the turn table and a diskloading/unloading (disk loading and unloading) position at the outsideof the disk drive, wherein a turning movement mechanism for turning theturn table and the pickup at once from a first position which confrontsone side of the disk to a second position which confronts the other sideof the disk or vice versa.

In this constitution, since the turn table and the pickup are rotatablymoved at once between the first position and the second position, theirpositional relationship between them securely remains unchanged when theside of the disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducingaction is alternated from one side to the other side.

In an embodiment of the invention, preferably a standby position forholding the disk at the standby mode is provided between therecording/reproducing position and the loading/unloading position, andthe three positions are aligned in a row along the direction of transfermovement of the disk as ordered from the recording/reproducing positionto the standby position and the loading/unloading position.

Accordingly, in turning the turn table and the pickup after the diskbeing scanned at one side for the recording and/or reproducing action,the disk is moved from the recording/reproducing position to the standbyposition which is located on the way to the loading/unloading position,and it is not required to pull out the disk to the loading/unloadingposition. And, the turn table and the pickup are turned in a state thatthe disk is held in standby mode at the standby position. Also, therecording/reproducing position, the standby position, and theloading/unloading position are aligned a row along the direction oftransfer movement of the disk. This allows the disk drive to remain notincreased in the width (at a right angle to the direction of transfermovement of the disk) regardless of the provision of the standbyposition.

Further, in an embodiment of the invention, preferably the standbyposition is located in the disk drive. Accordingly, the disk at thestandby mode can stay inside the disk drive.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the disk drivepreferably further includes a components base on which at least the turntable and the pickup are mounted, the components base supported by amain case of the disk drive for turning about the center line whichextends through the center of the turn table and the center of thepickup, and wherein the turning movement mechanism is arranged to turnthe components base about the center line so that the turn table and thepickup can be turned at once between the first position and the secondposition.

In this case, the turn table and the pickup can be moved easily andsecurely by turning the components base. In particular, the componentsbase turns about the center line which extends across the center of theturn table and the center of the pickup, hence permitting no change inthe positional relationship between the turn table, the pickup, and thecenter line.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, preferably the centerline is extended in the same direction as of the transfer movement ofthe disk.

Accordingly, when the components base is turned to move the turn tableand the pickup, the position of the turn table, the pickup, and thecenter line in relation to the direction of transfer movement of thedisk can remain unchanged.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the disk drive mayfurther include a components base displacing mechanism for displacingthe components base along the axis of rotation of the turn table.

Accordingly, the components base can be turned while having been orbeing displaced along the axis of rotation of the turn table (in adirection perpendicular to the disk supporting surface of the turntable).

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, preferably thecomponents base displacing mechanism is located at the outside of thepath of the transfer movement of the disk.

Accordingly, the disk when being transferred can successfully be avoidedfrom being directly interrupted by the components base displacingmechanism.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable thatthe intermediate chassis supported by the main case is disposed betweenthe main case and the components base while the turning movementmechanism is arranged for turning the components base in relation to theintermediate chassis.

Accordingly, as the turning movement mechanism turns the components basein relation to the intermediate chassis, the turning movement mechanismis arranged to associate the intermediate chassis and the componentsbase to each other.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, preferably thecomponents base displacing mechanism is arranged for displacing thecomponents base via the intermediate chassis. In this case, thecomponents base displacing mechanism is arranged to associate the maincase and the intermediate chassis to each other.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable thatthe intermediate chassis is supported at both sides by the main case atthe outside of the path of the transfer movement of the disk.

Accordingly, the disk when being transferred can successfully be avoidedfrom being directly interrupted by a supporting mechanism of theintermediate chassis. In turn, the intermediate chassis (and thecomponents base) can stably be supported by the main case.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable thatthe disk is of a cartridge type and the intermediate chassis includes apositioning means for positioning the disk via its cartridge.

Accordingly, the positioning of the disk in relation to the componentsbase (or the turn table) can be conducted easily and securely by thehelp of the intermediate chassis.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable thatthe intermediate chassis has two side, a first side confronting thefirst position and a second side confronting the second position, andthe two positioning means are mounted on the two, first and second,sides of the intermediate chassis respectively.

Accordingly, the positioning of the disk in relation to the componentsbase (or the turn table) can be conducted easily and securely by thehelp of the intermediate chassis regardless of the turn table and thepickup located at either the first or second position.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, it is preferable thatthe disk drive further includes a clamping mechanism for pressing downthe disk on and against the turn table, and the clamping mechanism isarranged for being turned together with the turn table and the pickup.

Accordingly, the positional relationship between the turn table and thepickup can be maintained constant even when the side of the disk to bescanned for the recording and/or reproducing action is alternated fromone side to the other side, while the position of the turn table inrelation to the clamping mechanism remains unchanged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of controlling a disk drive which has a turn table forrotatably supporting a disk thereon, a pickup for recording and/orreproducing data signals on the disk rotated on the turn table, and adisk transfer mechanism for transferring the disk forward and backwardbetween a recording/reproducing position which confronts the turn tableand a disk loading/unloading position at the outside of the disk drive.Particularly, the method includes (a) a first transfer step oftransferring the disk from the loading/unloading position to therecording/reproducing position, (b) a first recording and/or reproducingstep of recording and/or reproducing data signals on one side of thedisk with the turn table and the pickup located at a first positionwhich confronts the one side of the disk, (c) a second transfer step oftransferring the disk, after the first recording and/or reproducingstep, to a disk standby position which is provided between therecording/reproducing position and the loading/unloading position, (d) aturning movement step of turnably moving the turn table and the pickupat once from the first position to the second position which confrontsthe other side of the disk, (e) a third transfer step of transferringthe disk, after the turning movement step, from the disk standbyposition to the recording/reproducing position, (f) a second recordingand/or reproducing step of recording and/or reproducing data signals onthe other side of the disk with the turn table and the pickup located atthe second position, and (g) a fourth transfer step of transferring thedisk, after the second recording and/or reproducing step, from therecording/reproducing position via the disk standby position to theloading/unloading position.

In this case, since the turn table and the pickup are rotatably moved atonce between the first position and the second position, theirpositional relationship between them securely remains unchanged when theside of the disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducingaction is alternated from one side to the other side.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of controlling a disk drive which has a turn table forrotatably supporting a disk thereon, a pickup for recording and/orreproducing data signals on the disk rotated on the turn table, and adisk transfer mechanism for transferring the disk forward and backwardbetween a recording and reproducing position which confronts the turntable and a disk loading and unloading position at the outside of thedisk drive. In particular, for shifting the turn table and the pickupfrom a first position which confronts one side of the disk to a secondposition which confronts the other side of the disk, the steps arecarried out in a sequence of (a) a first transfer step of transferringthe disk to a disk standby position which is provided between therecording/reproducing position and the loading/unloading position, (b) aturning movement step of turnably moving the turn table and the pickupat once from the first position to the second position, and (c) a secondtransfer step of transferring the disk from the disk standby position tothe recording/reproducing position.

In this case, in shifting the turn table and the pickup from the firstposition to the second position, since the turn table and the pickup arerotatably moved at once between the first position and the secondposition, their positional relationship between them securely remainsunchanged when the side of the disk to be scanned for the recordingand/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to the other side.

As an advantage of the first aspect of the present invention, after oneside of the disk has been scanned for the recording and/or reproducingaction, when the other side of the disk is to be scanned for therecording and/or reproducing action, the turn table and the pickup canbe turned at once, from the first position which confronts the one sideof the disk to the second position which confronts the other side of thedisk by the action of the turning movement mechanism. This allows thepositional relationship between the turn table and the pickup to remainsecurely unchanged when the side of the disk to be scanned for therecording and/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to theother side. Accordingly, the verticality of the optical axis of thepickup in relation to the surface of the disk can be maintained in theaccuracy even when the side of the disk to be scanned for the recordingand/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to the other side.

According to an embodiment of the invention, preferably, the standbyposition for the disk is provided between the recording/reproducingposition and the loading/unloading position for holding the disk at thestandby mode. Therefore, in turning the turn table and the pickup afterthe disk being scanned at one side for the recording and/or reproducingaction, the disk is moved from the recording/reproducing position to thestandby position which is located on the way to the loading/unloadingposition, and it is not required to pull out the disk to theloading/unloading position. And, the turn table and the pickup areturned in a state that the disk is held in standby mode at the standbyposition. Thereby, the disk is transferred without being pulled out tothe loading/unloading position at the outside of the disk drive, and thedisk can successfully be avoided from being interrupted by the turningmovement of the turn table and the pickup with ease and certainty.Moreover, the recording/reproducing position, the standby position, andthe loading/unloading position are aligned a row along the direction oftransfer movement of the disk. This allows the disk drive to remain notincreased in the width (at a right angle to the direction of transfermovement of the disk) regardless of the provision of the standbyposition.

Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, the standbystation is preferably defined in the disk drive, thereby the disk at thestandby station stays at least the bulk thereof in the interior of thedisk drive but never be exposed to the outside. Accordingly, the disk atthe standby position can thus be improved in the protection while thedisk drive remains not disturbed in the external appearance.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the componentsbase is preferably provided and supported by the main case for carryingat least the turn table and the pickup thereon. When the components baseis turned by the action of the turning movement mechanism, the turntable and the pickup can be moved easily and readily between the firstposition and the second position. Moreover, since the components base isturned about the center line which extends across the center of the turntable and the center of the pickup, the positional relationship betweenthe turn table, the pickup, and the center line can remain unchanged.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the centerline about which the components base is turned preferably extends in thesame direction as of the transfer movement of the disk. Therefore,during the turning movement of the components base together with theturn table and the pickup, the position of the turn table and the pickupalong the center line in relation to the direction of the transfermovement of the disk can remain unchanged.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the components base displacing mechanism is further providedfor displacing the components base along the axis of rotation of theturn table. The components base can be turned while having been or beingdisplaced along the axis of rotation of the turn table (in a directionperpendicular to the disk supporting surface of the turn table).

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the components base displacing mechanism is located at theoutside of the path of the transfer movement of the disk. Thereby, thedisk when being transferred can successfully be avoided from beingdirectly interrupted by the components base displacing mechanism.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the intermediate chassis is disposed between the main caseand the components base as supported by the main case. As the turningmovement mechanism turns the components base in relation to theintermediate chassis, it may be arranged to associate the intermediatechassis and the components base to each other. This allows theintermediate chassis, the components base, and the turning movementmechanism to be assembled to a single unit, thus improving both theassembling efficiency and the handling capability of the disk drive.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the components base displacing mechanism is arranged fordisplacing the components base via the intermediate chassis. This allowsthe components base to carry out simultaneously the turning movement andthe displacement along the axis of rotation of the turn table via theintermediate chassis. Thereby, in arranging both the turning movementmechanism and the components base displacing mechanism, it is possibleto simplify the construction and save the space. Also, as the componentsbase displacing mechanism may be arranged to associate the main case andthe intermediate chassis to each other. Therefore, the intermediatechassis, the components base, and the turning movement mechanism can beassembled to a single unit. Then, the intermediate chassis can bemounted by the components base displacing mechanism to the main case,hence improving the efficiency of the assembly process.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the intermediate chassis is supported at both sides by themain case at the outside of the path of the transfer movement of thedisk in the main case. This allows the disk when being transferred tosuccessfully be avoided from being directly interrupted by a supportingmechanism of the intermediate chassis. In turn, the intermediate chassis(and the components base) can stably be supported by the main case.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, while the disk is of a cartridge type, the intermediatechassis includes the positioning means for positioning the disk via itscartridge. Therefore, the positioning of the disk in relation to thecomponents base (or the turn table) can be conducted easily and securelyby the help of the intermediate chassis with no use of a specificpositioning mechanism.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the intermediate chassis is provided with the first sideconfronting the first position and the second side confronting thesecond position. And, as the two positioning means are mounted on thetwo, first and second, sides of the intermediate chassis respectively,the positioning of the disk in relation to the components base (or theturn table) can be conducted easily and securely by the help of theintermediate chassis but not any specific positioning mechanismregardless of the turn table and the pickup located at either the firstor second position.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, morepreferably, the clamping mechanism for pressing down the disk on andagainst the turn table is provided as arranged for being turned togetherwith the turn table and the pickup. Therefore, the claiming mechanism isarranged singly operable on both sides of the disk but not needs to betwo for one side and the other side of the disk.

Moreover, the positional relationship between the turn table and thepickup can be maintained constant even when the side of the disk to bescanned for the recording and/or reproducing action is alternated fromone side to the other side, while the position of the turn table inrelation to the clamping mechanism remains unchanged. As the disk ispressed against the turn table by the clamping mechanism, its surfacecan be orthogonal at high accuracy to the optical axis of the pickup.More specifically, the verticality of the optical axis of the pickup inrelation to the surface of the disk can remain unchanged when the sideof the disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action isalternated from one side to the other side.

As an advantage of the method of controlling the disk drive according tothe second aspect of the present invention, after one side of the diskhas been scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action, when theother side of the disk is to be scanned for the recording and/orreproducing action, the turn table and the pickup are turned at once,from the first position which confronts the one side of the disk to thesecond position which confronts the other side of the disk. This allowsthe positional relationship between the turn table and the pickup toremain securely unchanged when the side of the disk to be scanned forthe recording and/or reproducing action is alternated from one side tothe other side. Accordingly, the verticality of the optical axis of thepickup in relation to the surface of the disk can be maintained in theaccuracy even when the side of the disk to be scanned for the recordingand/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to the other side.

Also, as an advantage of the method of controlling the disk driveaccording to the third aspect of the present invention, the turn tableand the pickup are turned at once when they are turned from the firstposition which confronts one side of the disk to the second positionwhich confronts the other side of the disk. The positional relationshipbetween the turn table and the pickup can hence remain unchanged whenthe side of the disk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducingaction is alternated from one side to the other side. Accordingly, theverticality of the optical axis of the pickup in relation to the surfaceof the disk can be maintained in the accuracy even when the side of thedisk to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action isalternated from one side to the other side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view of an interior arrangement of anoptical disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention,where the disk tray is at a disk loading/unloading position outside ofthe disk drive;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of the interior arrangement of theoptical disk drive, where the disk tray is at a standby position;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view of the interior arrangement of theoptical disk drive, where the disk tray is at a recording/reproducingposition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory plan view of a primary part of theinterior arrangement of the optical disk drive;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y5-Y5 of FIG. 1,where a slider driving motor and a gear train are illustrated inenlargement;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y6-Y6 of FIG. 3,where a tray driving motor and a gear train are illustrated inenlargement;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y7-Y7 of FIG. 3,where a timing coupling gear assembly is illustrated in enlargement;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y8-Y8 of FIG. 4,where a slider plate and an intermediate chassis are illustrated;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view of the slider plate;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view of the intermediate chassis with aturn table and a clamping mechanism in the disk clamping state;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory side view of the intermediate chassis with theturn table and the clamping mechanism in the unclamping state; and

FIG. 12 is an explanatory side view of the intermediate chassis with theturn table and the clamping mechanism turned through 180 degrees.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in moredetail referring to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 areexplanatory plan views of the internal construction of an optical diskdrive (hereinafter, occasionally, referred to as an apparatus simply)according to one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG. 1 illustrates the interior arrangement of the disk drive with itsdisk tray moved out to a disk loading position. FIG. 2 illustrates theinterior arrangement of the disk drive with the disk tray stored at astandby position. FIG. 3 illustrates the interior arrangement of thedisk drive with the disk tray held at a recording/reproducing position.FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory plane view showing a primary part ofthe internal construction of the disk drive, and the disk tray and itsdrive mechanism are omitted therein. Throughout the plan views of FIGS.1 to 4, the disk drive is illustrated with its top plate eliminated forease of viewing its internal construction.

It is to be noted in the description of the embodiments that the frontside of the disk drive 1 is where a disk D (or a tray 31) is pulled outof the apparatus 1 and the rear side (or the back side) is where thedisk D is stored. It is also to be noted that the frontward and rearwarddirections of the apparatus 1 extend at right angles to the leftward andrightward directions or widthwise directions in the plan views (of FIGS.1 to 4). Moreover, it is to be noted that the upward and downwarddirections extend at right angles to the forward and backward directionsand the widthwise directions of the apparatus 1 (and also at a rightangle to the plane of paper sheet in FIGS. 1 to 4).

The apparatus (disk drive) of this embodiment is used in its horizontalstate and known as of a horizontal type disk drive. The presentinvention is not limited to the horizontal type of the disk drive butalso applicable to a so-called vertical type one which is used in itsvertical state. In the latter case, either the leftward and rightwarddirections or the widthwise directions may be replaced by the upward anddownward directions.

The disk D employed in this embodiment is, for example, a digitalversatile disk (so-called DVD), and data signals can be recorded and /orreproduced on both sides thereof. The disk D is also of so-calledcartridge type as accommodated in a cartridge C made of plastic.

The disk drive 1 of this embodiment is hence a double-sidedrecording/reproducing disk drive for automatically recording and/orreproducing data signals on both sides of a disk D on both sides ofwhich the data signal can be recorded and/or reproduced. It is notnecessary for any user to pull out the tray and manually place the diskD up side down on the tray at the loading/unloading position when thedisk D has been scanned at one side thereof for recording and/orreproducing the data signal.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the disk drive 1 includes a box-like main case2 having a substantially rectangular shape in the plan view and arrangedto serve as the base of the apparatus (disk drive) in which primarycomponents can be accommodated. The main case 2 has a bottom side(apparatus base) 3 thereof provided as the base level of the apparatus.A pair of side walls 4 is provided upright on both left and right endsof the apparatus base 3. Also, a front wall 6 and a rear wall 7 areprovided upright on the front and rear ends of the base 3 respectively.The front wall 6 has an opening 6 h provided therein across which thedisk tray 31 is moved in and out. The main case 2 is preferably made ofa metal plate such as a steel plate. Alternatively, the main case 2 maybe made of a synthetic resin.

In the embodiment, a traverse base 10 supported by the main case 2 isprovided separately from the apparatus base 3 which serves as the baseof the main case 2 as. At least a turn table 11 and an optical pickup 12are mounted on the traverse base 10. The traverse base 10 is expressedas a components base defined in the claims of this application.

As well known, the turn table 11 is designed for rotatably supportingthe disk D thereon. The optical pickup 12 scans the disk D rotated bythe turn table 11 for recording and/or reproducing data signals on thedisk D.

In addition to the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12, the traversebase 10 carries a pair of guide rods 13 for guiding the movement of theoptical pickup 12, an electric motor for driving the optical pickup 12,and a spindle motor for driving the turn table 11 (both the motors notshown).

A circuit board (not shown) is also mounted on the apparatus base 3 forreceiving detection or other output signals from various sensors andswitches. In addition, a control circuit is provided for controlling theaction of the motors in response to the corresponding signals.

An intermediate chassis 20 having a frame portion of a substantiallyrectangular frame shape in the plan view is provided at the outer sideof the traverse base 10 (see FIG. 4). The intermediate chassis 20 has apair of outward extensions 21 provided integrally on both left and rightends thereof. Each of the extensions 21 has an end wall 21w providedintegrally on the outer end thereof and arranged to extend apredetermined length along the forward and backward directions of themain case 2. A pair of outwardly extending pins (support pins) 22 areprovided integrally close to both, front and rear, ends of the end wall21 w.

The intermediate chassis 20 and the traverse base 10 are preferablyfabricated with a synthetic resin material.

A couple of inner walls 5 are provided at the inner side of the left andright side walls 4 respectively of the main case 2 as spaced at adistance from the side walls 4. A slider plate 26 is provided betweenthe inner wall 5 and the side wall 4 at either side for sliding in thefrontward and rearward directions. Each of the two slider plates 26 atboth left and right sides has a pair of front and rear guide slots K(see FIG. 8) provided therein as will be explained later in more detail.As not explicitly illustrated, a guide strip is mounted on the innersurface of each the side wall 4 for guiding the forward and backwardsliding movement of the slider plate 26. The guide strip may be mountedon the inner wall 5 at either side.

The inner wall 5 at each side has a pair of front and rear verticalslots 5g provided therein (See FIG. 4). As explained later in moredetail, the support pins 22 provided on the end walls 21 w of theintermediate chassis 20 extend across the slots 5 g of the inner walls 5and engage with the corresponding guide slots K in the slider plates 26.This allows the intermediate chassis 20 to be supported via the left andright slider plates 26 by the main case 2.

The traverse base 10 has two, front and rear, projections 10 p providedon the front and rear sides thereof to extend outwardly from the centeralong the widthwise direction (the leftward and rightward directions).In particular, the two projections 10 p are aligned to each other alonga center axis Lb thus to determine the location and the direction ofprojection. More particularly, the axis Lb of the two projections 10 pextends in parallel with the apparatus base 3 and along the direction ofmovement of the disk D.

The intermediate chassis 20 has two through holes 20 j provided in two,front and rear, frames 20 f and 20 r thereof respectively for pivotablyaccepting the two projections 10 p of the traverse base 10. This allowsthe traverse base 10 to stay sustained in the interior space 20H of heintermediate chassis 20 with its two projections 10 p extending acrossin the corresponding through holes 20 j of the intermediate chassis 20.More specifically, the transverse base 10 is arranged pivotable aboutthe axis Lb, which extends through the two, front and rear, projections10 p, in relation to the intermediate chassis 20 (to the main case 2, inother words).

As described, the intermediate chassis 20 situated between the main case2 and the traverse base 10 remains supported in the main case 2 whileholding the traverse base 10 pivotable about the axis Lb.

The turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 mounted on the traverse base10 are positioned so that the center line Lc extending between the twocomponents 11 and 12 extends along the direction of movement of the diskD as being aligned with (or equal to) the axis Lb. Accordingly, when thetraverse base 10 is pivoted about the axis Lb (about the center line Lc,in other words), the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 turntogether about the center line Lc.

The center line Lc between the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12and the axis Lb about which the traverse base 10 is pivoted extend inparallel with the direction of movement of the disk D or may preferablybe equal to the path of movement of the center of the disk D.

As explained above, there is provided the traverse base 10 carrying atleast the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 and supported in themain case 2. Accordingly, by pivoting the traverse base 10, both theturn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 are turned simultaneously withease and certainty.

Also, as the traverse base 10 is turned about the center line Lc whichextends across the center of the turn table 11 and the center of theoptical pickup 12, its turning movement may never disturb the positionalrelationship between the center line Lc and the turn table 11 and theoptical pickup 12.

In this case, the axis Lb about which traverse base 10 is turned (andalso the center line Lc across the turn table 11 and the optical pickup12) extends in the direction which coincides with the direction ofmovement of the disk D. Accordingly, when the traverse base 10 is turnedtogether with the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 through 180degrees about the axis Lb, its turning movement may never affect thepositional relation of the turn table 11, the optical pickup 12, and thecenter line Lc to the direction of movement of the disk D.

Since both the axis Lb of the traverse base 10 and the center line Lcacross the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 are precisely alignedwith the path of movement of the center of the disk D, the turningmovement through 180 degrees of the traverse base 10 permits the turntable 11 and the optical pickup 12 to turn through 180 degrees withoutdisturbing the positional relationship between the two components 11 and12 and the center of the disk D.

The disk tray 31 in the disk drive 1 is arranged for traveling forwardand backward with the disk D carried thereon along and between the two,left and right, inner walls 5 of the main case 2 thus to convey the diskD between the recording/reproducing position P2 (See FIG. 3) whichconfronts the turn table 11 and the disk loading/unloading position P1(See FIG. 1) at the outside of the apparatus. Accordingly, the two, leftand right, slider plates 26 move outside of the path of movement of thedisk D.

A traverse driving motor M3 for driving the turning movement of thetraverse base 10 is provided at the rear side in the interior space 20Hof the intermediate chassis 20 and at the side of traverse base 10. Asthe traverse driving motor M3 is mounted by, e.g., a bracket (not shown)on the rear frame 20 r of the intermediate chassis 20, its output shaftM3 s extends outwardly from the rear frame 20 r of the intermediatechassis 20 to the rear side thus to have a motor output gear 61 mountedto the distal end thereof.

Also provided at the rear side of the intermediate chassis 20 are atransfer gear 62 engaged with the motor output gear 61 and a drivinggear 63 engaged with the transfer gear 62. The rear projection 10 p ofthe traverse base 10 is integrally joined to the center of the drivinggear 63.

Accordingly, when the traverse driving motor M3 is energized, it drivesthe driving gear 63 via the motor output gear 61 and the transfer gear62. The movement of the driving gear 63 thus triggers the turningmovement about the axis Lb of the traverse base 10 via the rearprojection 10 p.

A stopper pin 19 is mounted outwardly on the rear side of the traversebase 10. When the traverse base 10 is turned by the action of thetraverse driving motor M3 to a position where the turn table 11 and theoptical pickup 12 stay facing upward (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4), thestopper pin 19 comes into direct contact with the upper surface of therear frame 20 r of the intermediate chassis 20 thus restricting thefurther turning movement before the action of the traverse driving motorM3 is canceled. At the time, the traverse base 10 is held in parallelwith the intermediate chassis 20 or in its horizontal state.

This allows the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 to be turnedtogether to the first position opposite to one side (the lower side inthis case) of the disk D.

On the other hand, the rear flame 20 r of the intermediate chassis 20has a concavity or notch 20 c provided to a desired depth in theuppermost end thereof at a location which is symmetrical about the axisLb to the contact location with the stopper pin 19. When the traversebase 10 is turned in a direction opposite to the above describeddirection by the action of the traverse driving motor M3 to a positionwhere the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 stay facing downward,the stopper pin 19 moves into the notch 20 c and comes into directcontact with the bottom at the notch 20 c of the rear frame 20 r thusrestricting the further turning movement before the action of thetraverse driving motor M3 is canceled. At the time, the traverse base 10is equally held in parallel with the intermediate chassis 20, that is,in its horizontal state.

This allows the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 to be turnedtogether to the second position opposite to the other side (the upperside in this case) of the disk D.

In that manner, the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 can beturned together between the first position corresponding to one side(the lower side) of the disk D and the second position corresponding tothe other side (the upper side) of the disk D.

The traverse diving motor M3, the motor output gear 61, the transfergear 62, the driving gear 63, and the rear projection lop of thetraverse base 10 constitute, in a combination, a primary part of “aturning movement mechanism” defined in the claims of this application.

As described, the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 can be movedat once from the first position opposite to one side of the disk D tothe second position opposite to the other side of the disk D by aturning movement mechanism, when the recording and/or reproducing actionon the other side is to be conducted after the recording and/orreproducing action on the one side of the disk D has been completed.Accordingly, the positional relationship between the turn table 11 andthe optical pickup 12 remains unchanged when the side of the disk D tobe scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action is alternatedfrom one side to the other side. As a result, the optical axis of theoptical pickup 12 can constantly be kept vertical to the disk surfaceswithout disturbing the degree of precision whenever the side of the diskD to be scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action isalternated from one side to the other side.

In the embodiment, the intermediate chassis 20 is provided between themain case 2 and the traverse base 10 as supported by the main case 2 sothat the traverse base 10 can be turned in relation to the intermediatechassis 20. This allows the turning movement mechanism to be constructedfor associating the intermediate chassis 20 and the traverse base 10 toeach other. Accordingly, the intermediate chassis 20, the traverse base10, and the turning movement mechanism can be assembled to one unit thuscontributing to improvement in both the simplicity of fabrication andthe ease of handling.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the disk drive 1 of this embodiment has a diskstandby position Pm, for holding the disk D at the standby state (SeeFIG. 2), provided between the recording/reproducing (recording and/orreproducing) position P2 and the disk loading/unloading (loading and/orunloading) position P1. As will be explained later in more detail, inturning the traverse base 10 (with the turn table 11 and the pickup 12)after the disk D being scanned at one side for the recording and/orreproducing action, the disk D is moved from the recording/reproducingposition P2 to the standby position Pm which is located on the way tothe loading/unloading position P1, and it is not required to pull outthe disk D to the loading/unloading position P1. And, the traverse base10 (with the turn table 11 and the pickup 12) is turned in a state thatthe disk D is held in standby mode at the standby position Pm. Thereby,the disk D is transferred without being pulled out to theloading/unloading position P1 at the outside of the disk drive 1, andthe disk D can successfully be avoided from being interrupted by theturning movement of the traverse base 10 (with the turn table 11 and thepickup 12) with ease and certainty.

The recording/reproducing position P2, the standby position Pm, and theloading/unloading position P1 are linearly located in this order fromthe deepest of the apparatus (disk drive) 1 along the direction ofmovement of the disk D.

This allows the disk drive 1 to remain not largely changed in thewidthwise size (perpendicular to the direction of movement of the diskD) regardless of the provision of the standby position Pm.

The standby position Pm in this embodiment is situated in the apparatus1, more specifically in the front part of the internal space of the maincase 2 of the apparatus 1.

When the disk D is at the standby position Pm, it can stay substantiallyat least the bulk thereof (the entire size of the disk D in thisembodiment) in the housing of the apparatus 1 with no portion exposed tothe outside. Accordingly, while the disk D is advantageously protectedat the standby position Pm, the apparatus 1 itself can remain notdiscouraged in the appearance during its use.

The tray driving motor M1 and its gear train G1 for movement of the disktray 31 are provided close to the front end in the main case 2 as bestshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y6-Y6 of FIG. 3,illustrating an enlargement of the tray driving motor M1 and its geartrain G1. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y7-Y7 ofFIG. 3, illustrating an enlargement of a connection timing gear 41 whichextends along the forward and backward directions.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the gear train G1 includes a pulleygear.36, a transfer gear 37, a coupling gear 38, and an output gear 39(at the front). Also, an outer rack teeth 32 extending along the forwardand backward directions is provided on the lower side at the right endof the disk tray 31. The output gear 39 (at the front) is arranged toengage with the outer rack teeth 32.

When the tray driving motor M1 is energized, its power is transmittedfrom its output shaft M1 s via a transmission belt 35 to the pulley gear36 which then drives the gears 37, 38, and 39 in a row for movement ofthe tray 31 along the forward and backward directions.

The coupling gear 38 (at the front) in the gear train G1 also drivesanother coupling gear 42 (at the rear) via a connection timing gear 41while driving the output gear 39. The rear coupling gear 42 is engagedwith an output gear 43 (at the rear) which is paired with the frontoutput gear 39 at the other end.

An inner rack teeth 33 extending in parallel with and inwardly of theouter rack teeth 32 is provided on the lower side at the right end ofthe disk tray 31. The rear output gear 43 is arranged to engage with theinner rack teeth 33

As best shown in FIG. 7, the connection timing gear 41 comprises a powertransmitting shaft 41 b extending along the forward and backwarddirections and a driving gear 41 a and a driven gear 41 c mounted toboth, front and rear, ends of the power transmitting shaft 41 brespectively. The driving gear 41 a of the connection timing gear 41 isengaged with the front coupling gear 38 while the driven gear 41 c isengaged with the rear coupling gear 42.

When the tray driving motor M1 is energized, the driving gear 41 aengaged with the front coupling gear 38 in the gear train G1 is driven,and its power is transmitted via the power transmitting shaft 41 b tothe driven gear 41 c which then drives the rear coupling gear 42 and therear output gear 43 in a sequence.

Although not specifically illustrated, the tray driving motor M1, thegear train G1, the connection timing gear 41, the rear coupling gear 42,and the rear output gear 43 are supported by a mounting base anchored tothe bottom 3 of the main case 2. Also, the side walls 4 and the innerwalls 5 at both, left and right, sides are joined at the top to theceiling 8 of the main case 2.

As the tray 31 is moved from the loading/unloading position P1 at theoutside of the apparatus 1 via the standby position Pm to therecording/reproducing position P2 in the apparatus 1 or vice versa, ittravels a long distance. The forward and backward movement of the tray31 is first conducted by the front output gear 39 of the gear train G1which engages with the outer rack teeth 32. As the tray 31 is advancedfurther, its front output gear 39 departs from the outer rack teeth 32and its rear output gear 43 comes into engagement with the inner rackteeth 33. Then, the tray 31 is succeedingly driven by the rear outputgear 43 along the forward and backward directions.

This allows the tray 31 to be moved throughout the long distance with nodifficulty. More particularly, the disk D on the tray 31 can be carriedfrom the loading/unloading position P1 via the standby position Pm tothe recording/reproducing position P2 or from the recording/reproducingposition P2 via the standby position Pm to the loading/unloadingposition P1 with readiness.

The disk tray 31, the outer rack teeth 32, the inner rack teeth 33, thetray driving motor M1, the gear train G1, the connection timing gear 41,the rear coupling gear 42, and the rear output gear 43 constitute aprimary part of “a disk transfer mechanism” defined in the claims ofthis application.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first, second, and third tray detectingsensors S1, S2, and S3 are provided, for example, on the inner surfaceof the inner wall 5 on the left side. The tray detecting sensors S1, S2,and S3 may preferably be limit switches.

When the disk tray 31 is at the loading/unloading position P1, itspresence is detected by only the first detecting sensor S1 switching on.When the disk tray 31 is at the standby position Pm, its presence isdetected by the first and second detecting sensors S1 and S2 bothswitching on. When the disk tray 31 is at the recording/reproducingposition P2, its presence is detected by only the third detecting sensorS3 switching on.

The three tray detecting sensors S1, S2, and S3 are electricallyconnected to a control circuit on the circuit board (not shown) forreceiving control signals and delivering detection signals. The controlcircuit (not shown) is also electrically connected with the tray drivingmotor M1, the traverse driving motor M3, a slider driving motor M2 whichwill be explained later, and a spindle motor (not shown) for driving theturn table 11 in addition to the tray detecting sensors S1, S2, and S3for receiving and delivering signals.

The slider driving motor M2 and its gear train G2 for driving the sliderplates 26 are provided substantially at the center along the forward andbackward directions in the main case 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y5-Y5 of FIG. 1,illustrating an enlargement of the slider driving motor M2 and its geartrain G2. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the gear train G2 includesa pulley gear 46, a transfer gear 47, and an output gear 48.

On the other hand, a (side) rack teeth 26 g extending along the forwardand backward directions is provided on the inner side at the lowermostend of the slider plate 26 at the left side. The output gear 48 of thegear train G2 is arranged to engage with the side rack teeth 26 g.

Also, a slider coupling shaft 51 extending in the widthwise direction ofthe apparatus 1 is provided at the front side of the slider drivingmotor M2 and its gear train G2. The slider coupling shaft 51 extends atboth ends across the inner walls 5 to beneath the slider plates 26, leftand right coupling gears 52 are mounted on both ends of the slidercoupling shaft 51 respectively.

A (bottom) rack teeth 26 b is provided on the lower side of each theslider plate 26 and engaged with the corresponding coupling gear 52.

The slider coupling shaft 51 is rotatably supported at close to the endsby apertures (the bearing portions) of the two, left and right, innerwalls 5. Although not illustrated, the slider driving motor M2 and itsgear train G2 are supported by a mount base anchored to the bottom 3 ofthe main case 2.

When the slider driving motor M2 is energized, its power is transmittedfrom its output shaft M2 s via a transmission belt 45 to the pulley gear46 which then drives the gears 47 and 48 in a sequence. The output gear48 drives the left slider plate 26 to move forward or backward throughthe side rack teeth 26 g.

As the left slider plate 26 is driven, its bottom rack teeth 26 brotates the left coupling gear 52 which in turn drives the slidercoupling shaft 51 and the right coupling gear 52. Accordingly, the rightslider plate 26 with its bottom rack teeth 26 b driven by the couplinggear 52 travels forward or backward.

As described, the slider driving motor M2 and its gear train G2, theside rack teeth 26 g of the left slider plate 26, the bottom rack teeth26 b of the left and right slider plates 26, the slider coupling shaft51, and the two coupling gears 52 constitute a slider plates drivingmechanism. The slider plates driving mechanism allows the left and rightslider plates 26 to move in the forward and backward directions of theapparatus 1 as each being guided between the side wall 4 and the innerwall 5. The left and right slider plates 26 are substantially identicalin the shape while the side rack teeth 26 g engaged with the output gear48 of the gear train G2 is provided only on the left slider plate 26.The two slider plates 26 are thus identical to each other in theconstruction except the side rack teeth 26 g.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Y8-Y8 of FIG. 4,illustrating the left slider plate 26 and the intermediate chassis 20.FIG. 9 is an enlarged explanatory view of the slider plate 26.

As illustrated, each of the slider plates 26 has a pair of guide slots Kprovided in a pattern therein and each of the guide slots K consistsmainly of two, upper and lower, horizontal slot regions and a slopingslot region communicating between the two horizontal slot regions. Thesupport pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20 are inserted into thecorresponding guide slots K respectively for engagement. Also, each ofthe inner walls 5 of the main case 2 has two vertical slots 5 g providedtherein across which the support pins 22 are extended and received bythe corresponding guide slots K.

More specifically as best shown in FIG. 9, the guide slot K includesfour, first, second, third, and fourth, horizontal slot regions K1 toK4. The horizontal slot regions K1 to K4 extend in the horizontal (alongthe forward and backward directions).

The second horizontal slot region K2 is lowest in the height (along thevertical) among the four regions K1 to K4 as located close to the bottomof the slider plate 26. The first horizontal slot region K1 is arrangedhigher by a predetermined distance than the second horizontal slotregions K2. Also, the third horizontal slot region K3 is highest aslocated close to the top of the slider plate 26. The fourth horizontalslot region k4 is arranged lower by a predetermined distance than thethird horizontal slot region K3.

The rear end of the first horizontal slot region K1 is communicated by afirst sloping slot region K5 to the front end of the second horizontalslot region K2. The rear end of the second horizontal slot region K2 iscommunicated by a second sloping slot region K6 to the front end of thethird horizontal slot region K3. Then, the rear end of the thirdhorizontal slot region K3 is communicated by a third sloping slot regionK7 to the front end of the fourth horizontal slot region K4.

As the support pins 22 are extended across the vertical slots 5 g in theinner walls 5 and received by the corresponding guide slots K (See FIG.8), they remain not moved in the forward and backward directions but arerelatively moved between the first horizontal slot region K1 and thefourth horizontal slot region K4 of the guide slots K when the sliderplates 26 travel in the forward and backward directions.

More particularly, the support pins 22 are lifted up and down along thevertical slots 5 g as the slider plates 26 travel in the forward andbackward directions. This vertical movement allows the intermediatechassis 22 (hence the traverse base 10) to move up and down. As aresult, the traverse base 10 is lifted up and down along the axis ofrotation of the turn table 11.

For example, when the slider plates 26 are moved forward from thebackward position where the support pins 22 remain in the secondhorizontal slot regions K2 of the guide slots K as shown in FIG. 8, asthe result the guide slots K also moves forwardly. And, the support pins22 run along the longest sloping slot regions K6 of the guide slots Kand lift up as being guided in the vertical slots 5 g of the inner walls5. At the time when the slider plates 26 is advanced to a givendistance, the support pins 22 come in the third horizontal slot regionsK3 which is highest level, hence lifting up the intermediate chassis 20by a predetermined amount.

As best shown in FIG. 8, from below, first, second, third, and fourthheight detecting sensors T1, T2, T3, and T4 are provided on the innersurface of the rear wall 7 of the main case 2 for detecting the height(in the vertical) of the intermediate chassis 20. The height detectingsensors T1, T2, T3, and T4 may preferably be limit switches.

When the support pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20 are in thesecond horizontal slot regions K2 at the lowest of the guide slots K,their location is detected by only the first detecting sensor T1switching on. When the support pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20are in the first horizontal slot regions K1 at the second lowest of theguide slots K, their location is detected by only the second detectingsensor T2 switching on. When the support pins 22 of the intermediatechassis 20 are in the fourth horizontal slot regions K4 at the secondhighest of the guide slots K, their location is detected by only thethird detecting sensor T3 switching on. When the support pins 22 of theintermediate chassis 20 are in the third horizontal slot regions K3 atthe highest of the guide slots K, their location is detected by only thefourth detecting sensor T4 switching on.

The height detecting sensors T1, T2, T3, and T4 all are electricallyconnected to the control circuit on the circuit board (not shown) forreceiving control signals and delivering detection signals.

While the left slider plate 26 only is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 forease of the description, the right slider plate 26 has also the guideslots K of the same pattern provided therein.

The guide slots K in the slider plates 26, the vertical slots 5 g in theinner walls 5, and the support pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20constitute “a components base displacing mechanism” defined in theclaims of this application. The displacement mechanism is also driven bythe action of the slider plates driving mechanism (including the sliderdriving motor M2 and its gear train G2, the side rack teeth 26 g andbottom rack teeth 26 b of the slider plates 26, and the slider couplingshaft 51, and the coupling gears 52).

Accordingly, the traverse base 10 can be turned through 180 degreesbetween the first position and the second position while having been orbeing displaced (in the upward direction) along the axis of rotation ofthe turn table 11 (perpendicular to the disk supporting surface of theturn table 11) by the action of the displacement mechanism.

Particularly, when the traverse base 10 is turned as being displaced inthe vertical, its 180-degree movement can be conducted in a smallerrange of the height along the vertical thus contributing to thedown-sizing of the apparatus 1.

The members of the displacement mechanism for displacing the traversebase 10 in the vertical, which include the main case 2 and the innerwalls 2, are located at the outside of the traveling movement of thedisk D. As a result, in moving the disk D, the interference between thedisk D and the displacement mechanism is surely avoided.

Also, the support pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20 engage with theguide slots K in the two, left and right, slider plates 26. Thereby, theintermediate chassis 20 is supported by the main case 2. Morespecifically, the intermediate chassis 20 is supported by the main case.2 at the outside of the traveling movement of the disk D.

Accordingly, the movement of the disk D can be interrupted by no actionof the support mechanism of the intermediate chassis 20. Also, theintermediate chassis 20 (and thus the traverse base 10) can be reliablysecured at both sides along the widthwise direction in the main case 2.

Moreover, the displacement mechanism for movement of the traverse base10 in the vertical is arranged to displace the traverse base 10 via theintermediate chassis 20. Accordingly, the traverse base 10 can be turnedand simultaneously displaced along the axis of rotation of the turntable 11 (in the vertical) by the driving action through theintermediate chassis 20. This allows the apparatus to be simplified inthe construction and improved in the space saving as compared with theprovision of two separate mechanisms for turning and displacing thetraverse base 10 respectively.

The displacement mechanism for the traverse base 10 is mounted to bridgebetween the main case 2 and the intermediate chassis 20. Accordingly,the intermediate chassis 20 can first be assembled with the traversebase 10 and its turning mechanism to have a single unit and then joinedto the main case 2 by the displacement mechanism of the traverse base10. The assembling process for the two mechanisms will thus be improvedin the efficiency.

The traverse base 10 is securely mounted by the intermediate chassis 20to the main case 2. Accordingly, the traverse base 10 can be decreasedin the widthwise size as compared with the mounting of the traverse base10 directly to the main case 2 with no help of the intermediate chassis20. The turning movement of the traverse base 10 will thus be minimizedin the radius allowing the apparatus 1 to be limited in the height.

The disk drive 1 also includes a clamping mechanism for holding down thedisk D on the turn table 11 during the recording and/or reproducingaction. Therefore, the clamping mechanism has to turn upside down whenthe turn table 11 is shifted from the first position to the secondposition by the 180-degree movement of the traverse base 10. If twoclamping mechanisms are provided for the purpose at both upper and lowersides of the traverse base 10, they will make the overall arrangementintricate and increase the overall dimensions of the disk drive, hencesoaring the production cost.

The clamping mechanism in the disk drive 1 will now be described.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are explanatory side views showing the intermediatechassis 20, the turn table 11, and the clamping mechanism 70. FIG. 10illustrates a disk clamped by the clamping mechanism 70. FIG. 11illustrates no clamping action of the clamping mechanism 70. FIG. 12illustrates the turn table 11 and the clamping mechanism 70 turnedthrough 180 degrees in the no clamping state shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in those figures, the clamping mechanism 70 includes a clampingstrip 72 which has a damper 71 mounted to the distal end thereof asassociated with the turn table 11 for clamping the disk D from bothsides. The clamping strip 72 is pivotably joined at the proximal corner72 c to the top of a vertical wall 16 provided upright on the traversebase 10 so that it can pivot up and down. The clamping strip 72 maypreferably be made of an elastic or spring sheet. Also, a spring 73 isprovided on the top of the vertical wall 16 for urging the clampingstrip 72 in the unclamping direction.

The arrangement and action of the clamping mechanism 70 is substantiallyequal to any prior art. With the disk D clamped between the damper 71and the turn table 11, the proximal end 72a of the clamping strip 72remains pressed by the rear end 31r of the disk tray 31 as shown in FIG.10. This allows the clamping strip 72 to be pivoted down about theproximal corner 72 c in the clamping direction (counter-clockwisely inFIG. 10) as resisting against the urging force of the spring 73. By thespring action of the clamping strip 72, the damper 71 is urgeddownwardly to press the disk D against the turn table 11.

As described previously, the disk D in this embodiment is of a cartridgetype as accommodated in a cartridge C made of plastic. In relation, apair of left and right positioning pins 23 is provided upright on thefront end of the intermediate chassis 20 for positioning the disk Dthrough the cartridge C.

When the clamping mechanism 70 is actuated for the clamping action, thepositioning pins 23 fit into their respective positioning apertures Chprovided in the cartridge C to determine the position of the disk D onthe intermediate chassis 20.

Using the positioning pins 23 of the intermediate chassis 20 forpositioning the disk D through the cartridge C, the position of the diskD on the intermediate chassis 20 (thus in relation to the traverse base10) can be determined easily and securely with no use of a separatepositioning mechanism.

In particular, the positioning pins 23 are mounted on both, upper andlower, sides of the intermediate chassis 20. The positioning pins 23extend from the first side (for example, the upper side) of theintermediate chassis 20 which confronts the first position of the turntable 11 and from the second side (the lower side) which confronts thesecond position of the turntable 11.

When the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 are situated at eitherthe first or second position, the action of the intermediate chassis 20can easily and precisely determine the position of the disk D inrelation to the traverse base 10 (or the turn table 11) with no use ofany separate positioning mechanism.

The positioning pins for positioning the cartridge C (or the disk D) maybe provided on the disk tray 31. In this case, the mounting of thepositioning pins is only at one side of the tray. 31 (where thecartridge C is placed).

As best shown in FIG. 10, in a state that the disk D is clamped, thesupport pins 22 of the intermediate chassis 20 remain received by thefirst horizontal slot regions K1 of the guide slots K in the sliderplates 26.

As the slider plates 26 travel forward from the above condition by agiven distance, the support pins 22 are guided along the first slopingslot regions K5 and moved into the second horizontal slot regions K2 asshown in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the intermediate chassis 20 (or thetraverse base 10) goes down. Accordingly, the turn table 11 is separatedfrom the disk D, the clamping state is canceled as shown in FIG. 11.

Simultaneously, the rear end 31 r of the disk tray 31 is disengaged fromthe proximal end 72a of the clamping strip 72. This allows the clampingstrip 72 to be pivoted up about the proximal corner 72 c in theunclamping direction (clockwisely in FIG. 11) by the urging force of thespring 73, hence releasing the clamping of the disk D. Also, thepositioning pins 23 depart from their respective positioning aperturesCh in the cartridge C thus releasing the positioning of the cartridge C(or the disk D). Thereafter, the disk tray 31 is moved from therecording/reproducing position P1 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 to thestandby position Pm.

As the disk tray 31 at the unclamping state shown in FIG. 11 has movedto the standby position Pm, the slider plates 26 are slid forward withthe support pins 22 being guided along the second sloping slot regionsK6 and running into the third horizontal slot regions K3. Accordingly,the intermediate chassis 20 (or the traverse base 10) is lifted up tothe highest level.

As described previously, the movement of the disk tray 31 along theforward and backward directions is sequentially detected by the traydetecting sensors S1, S2, and S3 of which the detection signals arereceived by the control circuit (not shown) in the apparatus 1. Inresponse to the control signals, the slider driving motor M2 isenergized. Accordingly, the sliding movement of the slider plates 26 istriggered at appropriate timing by the movement of the disk tray 31 thusallowing the intermediate chassis 20 to lift up and down.

Preferably, during the lifting and going down movement of theintermediate chassis 20, the traverse base 10 (carrying the turn table11 and the optical pickup 12) of the apparatus is turned through 180degrees in relation to the intermediate chassis 20 in the presentembodiment.

As described previously, the movement of the intermediate chassis 20 inthe upward and downward directions is sequentially detected by theheight detecting sensors T1, T2, T3, and T4 (See FIG. 8) of which thedetection signals are received by the control circuit (not shown) in theapparatus 1. In response to the control signals, the traverse drivingmotor M3 is energized. Accordingly, the turning movement of the traversebase 10 is trigged at appropriate timing by the lifting and going downmovement and/or vertical position of the intermediate chassis 20.

It is now assumed that the traverse base 10 is turned during the liftingup of the intermediate chassis 20. In a state that the support pins 22of the intermediate chassis 20 are in the second horizontal slot regionsK2 which is lowest of the guide slots K in the slider plates 26 (at theunclamping state with only the height detecting sensor T1 switched on)as shown in FIG. 11, the disk tray 31 is moved towards the standbyposition Pm, and simultaneously the slider plates 26 start to movedforward. Thereby, the support pins 22 start to lift up along the secondsloping slot regions K6 (with the height detecting sensor T1 switchedoff). When the support pins 22 arrive at the height level correspondingto the first horizontal slot regions K1, the height detecting sensor T2is switched on. In response to the detection signal of the sensor T2,the traverse driving motor M3 starts its rotating action for turning thetraverse base 10.

As the traverse base 10 is turned, according to the turning direction,the stopper pin 19 fixed at the rear end of the traverse base 10 comesinto direct contact with the top of the rear frame 20 r of theintermediate chassis 20, or fits into the notch 20 c having thepredetermined depth and being provided in the rear frame 20 r of thesame and comes into direct contact with the bottom of the notch 20 c.Thereby, further turning of the traverse base 10 is regulated, and atthe timing of terminating the turning movement of the traverse base 10,the traverse driving motor M3 is deenergized. As a result, the traversebase 10 is successfully turned upside down or through 180 degrees inrelation to the intermediate chassis 20 (See FIG. 12).

As understood, the turning movement of the traverse base 10 is timedwith the lifting up of the intermediate chassis 20. Accordingly, theturning movement of the traverse base 10 is controlled by the verticalstroke of the lifting movement of the intermediate chassis 20. Since theboth movements for lifting up/lowering down the intermediate chassis 20and turning the traverse base 10 are conducted simultaneously, theapparatus 1 can be minimized in the overall size or particularly theheight.

Although the traverse base 10 is turned during the lifting up or down ofthe intermediate chassis 20 in the description, it may be turned ateither the uppermost or lowermost position. In the latter case, theheight of the apparatus 1 will commonly be greater than that of thetraverse base 10 turned during the lifting up or down of theintermediate chassis 20.

In a case that the traverse base 10 is turned at the uppermost positionof the intermediate chassis 20, the support pins 22 of the intermediatechassis 20 are lifted up along the second sloping slot regions K6 of theguide slot K in the slider plates 26 and upon reaching the thirdhorizontal slot regions K3 at the highest level, switch the detectionsensor T3 on. In response to the detection signal from the sensor T3,the traverse driving motor M3 starts its rotation to turn the traversebase 10 through 180 degrees.

Thereafter, when the traverse base 10 is turned upside down againthrough 180 degrees, the movement may be conducted at this uppermostposition. In this case, a space enough to rotate the traverse base 10 isrequired above the uppermost position of the intermediate chassis 20.

The 180-degree turning or upside down movement of the traverse base 10may be conducted when the intermediate chassis 20 is at the lowermostposition (in the second horizontal slot regions K2 at the lowest level).

The clamping mechanism 70 is integrally engaged with the vertical wall16 anchored to the traverse base 10 and can thus be simultaneously movedupside down when the traverse base 10 is turned through 180 degrees asshown in FIG. 12.

Since the clamping mechanism 70 is turned together with the turn table11 and the optical pickup 12, its position relative to the turn table 11remains unchanged with the positional relationship between the turntable 11 and the pickup 12 staying unchanged when the side the disk D tobe scanned for the recording and/or reproducing action is alternatedfrom one side to the other. Accordingly, the optical axis of the pickup12 can precisely be held vertical to the disk D which remains securelypressed down against the turn table 11 by the action of the clampingmechanism 70. More particularly, the optical axis of the optical pickup12 can effectively be avoided from deflecting from the precise verticalto the surface of the disk D to be scanned for the recording and/orreproducing action whenever the side of the disk D to be scanned for therecording and/or reproducing action is alternated from one side to theother.

The action of the disk drive 1 having the foregoing arrangement will bedescribed in brief.

For loading the disk D onto the disk tray 31, the tray driving motor M1is actuated by a user switching a start switch on the operation panel(not shown) of the apparatus 1. The disk tray 31 is hence moved forwardto the loading/unloading position P1 (until the tray detecting sensor S1is turned on; See FIG. 1) and the disk cassette C is loaded on the disktray 31 at this position P1. When the motor M1 is then actuated by theuser switching on, the disk tray 31 moves backward to therecording/reproducing position P2 (until the tray detecting sensors S2and S3 are switched on; See FIG. 3). By now, the clamping mechanism 70remains at its unclamping state (See FIG. 11).

As the disk tray 31 has been moved to the recording/reproducing positionP2, the slider driving motor M2 starts its rotation to displace theintermediate chassis 20 along the axis of rotation of the turn table 11.This causes the clamping mechanism 70 to shift to the clamping state forholding the disk D on the turn table 11.

The disk D is then scanned at one side for the recording or reproducingaction at the position P2. At the time, the turn table 11 and theoptical pickup 12 are located to face the one side of the disk D (at thefirst position; See FIG. 10).

When an operation mode switch (not shown) in the disk drive 1 is set tothe double-side operation mode for recording and/or reproducing signalson both sides of the disk D, the slider driving motor M2 starts itsaction to release the claiming state after the end of the recording orreproducing action at one side of the disk D. Then, the tray drivingmotor M1 is actuated to move the disk tray 31 with the disk D carried onto the standby position Pm (until the tray detecting sensors S1 and S2are switched on; See FIG. 2).

As the slider plates 26 are moved by the rotation of the slider drivingmotor M2, they displaces (lifts up, in this case) the intermediatechassis 20. With the intermediate chassis 20 being displaced or havingbeen displaced, the traverse driving motor M3 is actuated to turn thetraverse base 10 through 180 degrees from the first position to thesecond position.

As a result, the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 come to facethe other side of the disk D (at the second position; See FIG. 12).

Then, the tray driving motor M1 is actuated to move the disk tray 31from the standby position Pm to the recording/reproducing position P2(until the tray detecting sensors S2 and S3 are switched on; See FIG.3). And, by actuating the slider driving motor M2, the disk D is againclamped onto the turn table 11. The other side of the disk D is thenscanned for the recording or reproducing action.

By that manner, the disk D can be scanned on both sides automaticallyand continuously for the recording or reproducing action.

When the operation mode switch (not shown) in the disk drive 1 is notset to the double-side operation mode but a reverse operation switch(not shown) for scanning the other side of the disk D than the sidecurrently at the scanning mode is switched on, the disk D can be scannedon the reverse side for recording and/or reproducing action, withoutbeing pulled out from the apparatus 1.

In the latter case, the switching on of the reverse operation switch forthe recording or reproducing action can energize the slider drivingmotor M2 to release the clamping of the disk D. Then, the tray drivingmotor M1 is actuated, and the disk tray 31 with the disk D carried on tomove to the standby position Pm (until the tray detecting sensors S1 andS2 are switched on; See FIG. 2).

And, by driving of the slider plates 26, the traverse base 10 is turnedthrough 180 degrees from the first position to the second position, withthe intermediate chassis 20 being displaced or having been displacedupwardly.

Accordingly, the turn table 11 and the optical pickup 12 can come toface the other side of the disk D (at the second position; See FIG. 12).

Then, the disk tray 31 is moved from the standby position Pm to therecording/reproducing position P2 (until the tray detecting sensors S2and S3 are switch on; See FIG. 3). Also, the disk D is clamped again onthe turn table 11. The recording or reproducing action on the other sideof the disk D then follows.

As described, the control circuit (not shown) in the disk drive 1receives the input signals from the switches on the operation panel andthe detection signals from the tray detecting sensors S1 to S3 and theheight detecting sensors T1 to T4 for the intermediate chassis 20. Thecontrol circuit is also electrically connected with the tray drivingmotor M1, the slider driving motor M2, the traverse driving motor M3,and the spindle motor (not shown) for rotating the turn table 11 forexchanging the relevant signals. The control circuit can thus beresponsive to the detection signals from the sensors and the motorrotation signals from the motors for controlling appropriately theforward and backward movement of the disk tray 31, the sliding movementof the slider plates 26 along the forward and backward directions, theturning movement of the traverse base 10, and the rotating movement ofthe turn table 11 respectively.

While the embodiment is described in the form of a horizontal type diskdrive 1, it is not limited to the horizontal type but may be appliedwith equal success to any other type such as a vertical type.

It would hence be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the above described embodiment and various changes and modificationsare possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1. A disk drive comprising a turn table for rotatably supporting a diskthereon, a pickup for recording and/or reproducing data signals on thedisk rotated on the turn table, and a disk transfer mechanism fortransferring the disk bidirectionally between a recording andreproducing position which confronts the turn table and a disk loadingand unloading position at the outside of the disk drive, a turningmovement mechanism for turning the turn table and the pickup at oncefrom a first position which confronts one side of the disk to a secondposition which confronts the other side of the disk or vice versa.
 2. Adisk drive according to claim 1, wherein a standby position for the diskis provided between the recording and reproducing position and theloading and unloading position, and the three positions are aligned in arow along the direction of transfer movement of the disk as ordered fromthe recording and reproducing position to the standby position and theloading and unloading position.
 3. A disk drive according to claim 2,wherein the standby position is located in the disk drive.
 4. (Original)A disk drive according to claim 1, further comprising a components baseon which at least the turn table and the pickup are mounted, thecomponents base being supported by a main case of the disk drive forturning about the center line which extends through the center of theturn table and the center of the pickup, and wherein the turningmovement mechanism is arranged to turn the components base about thecenter line so that the turn table and the pickup can be turned at oncebetween the first position and the second position.
 5. A disk driveaccording to claim 4, wherein the center line is extended in the samedirection as of the transfer movement of the disk.
 6. A disk driveaccording to claim 4, further comprising a components base displacingmechanism for displacing the components base along the axis of rotationof the turn table.
 7. A disk drive according to claim 6, wherein thecomponents base displacing mechanism is located at the outside of thepath of the transfer movement of the disk.
 8. A disk drive according toclaim 4, wherein an intermediate chassis supported by the main case isdisposed between the main case and the components base while the turningmovement mechanism is arranged for turning the components base inrelation to the intermediate chassis.
 9. A disk drive according to claim8, wherein the components base displacing mechanism is arranged fordisplacing the components base via the intermediate chassis.
 10. A diskdrive according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate chassis issupported at both sides by the main case at the outside of the path ofthe transfer movement of the disk in the main case.
 11. A disk driveaccording to claim 8, wherein the disk is of a cartridge type and theintermediate chassis includes a positioning means for positioning thedisk via its cartridge.
 12. A disk drive according to claim 11, whereinthe intermediate chassis has two side, a first side confronting thefirst position and a second side confronting the second position, andthe two positioning means are mounted on the two, first and second,sides of the intermediate chassis respectively.
 13. A disk driveaccording to claim 1, further comprising a clamping mechanism forpressing down the disk on and against the turn table, the clampingmechanism arranged for being turned together with the turn table and thepickup.
 14. A method of controlling a disk drive which has a turn tablefor rotatably supporting a disk thereon, a pickup for recording and/orreproducing data signals on the disk rotated on the turn table, and adisk transfer mechanism for transferring the disk bidirectionallybetween a recording and reproducing position which confronts the turntable and a disk loading and unloading position at the outside of theapparatus, comprising: a first transfer step of transferring the diskfrom the loading and unloading position to the recording and reproducingposition; a first recording and/or reproducing step of recording and/orreproducing data signals on one side of the disk with the turn table andthe pickup located at a first position which confronts the one side ofthe disk; a second transfer step of transferring the disk, after thefirst recording and/or reproducing step, to a disk standby positionwhich is provided between the recording and reproducing position and theloading and unloading position; a turning movement step of turnablymoving the turn table and the pickup at once from the first position tothe second position which confronts the other side of the disk; a thirdtransfer step of transferring the disk, after the turning movement step,from the disk standby position to the recording and reproducingposition; a second recording and/or reproducing step of recording and/orreproducing data signals on the other side of the disk with the turntable and the pickup located at the second position; and a fourthtransfer step of transferring the disk, after the second recordingand/or reproducing step, from the recording and reproducing position viathe disk standby position to the loading and unloading position.
 15. Amethod of controlling a disk drive which has a turn table for rotatablysupporting a disk thereon, a pickup for recording and/or reproducingdata signals on the disk rotated on the turn table, and a disk transfermechanism for transferring the disk bidirectionally between a recordingand reproducing position which confronts the turn table and a diskloading and unloading position at the outside of the disk drive,wherein, for shifting the turn table and the pickup from a firstposition which confronts one side of the disk to a second position whichconfronts the other side of the disk, the steps are carried out in asequence of: a first transfer step of transferring the disk to a diskstandby position which is provided between the recording and reproducingposition and the loading and unloading position; a turning movement stepof turnably moving the turn table and the pickup at once from the firstposition to the second position; and a second transfer step oftransferring the disk from the disk standby position to the recordingand reproducing position.